NewsLFC fitness update: Iraola provides latest on Gakpo, Barcola and Ekitike

The Reds welcome Alvaro Arbeloa's side to Anfield in a 3pm BST kick-off.

Liverpool, though, were without Cody Gakpo for their Champions League win over Atletico Madrid in midweek, while Barcola was an enforced substitution during the second half of the contest.

"We still need to train," the head coach told his pre-match press conference. "We train this afternoon [and] evening. But, yes, Barcola was just cramps.

"Obviously he finished tight in the game and then we have to evaluate with how are things today – but there's no injury. He should be available if everything goes normal.

"[With] Cody, we will see. He didn't train yesterday. Today, we will try with him and let's see if he's ready for tomorrow or we need to wait for the next one."

On the latest on long-term absentee Hugo Ekitike, he added: "I think it's difficult with these long-term injuries, I think he's still far [away].

"But we had a meeting with the medical department to analyse when we completed the [squad] list for the European games. There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages.

"But it's still very early to say. It's very early because it's a long-term injury [and] a big part of the rehab [he] is still to meet. But if we decide to put him there, it is because there is a hope and there is a realistic chance that he could help us in January."